Weight Loss Safety Tips
Like many Americans, you may have decided that this year was the year you would lose weight and get in shape. If your New Year’s resolution sounded something like that, the physicians at Medco ER in Plano, TX, are here to help you achieve your weight loss goals in a safe and lasting way.
“The fields of diet, nutrition, fitness and even bariatric surgery have evolved rapidly in the past ten years,” said Medco ER’s Medical Director, Dr. Nasir Khan. “While there are, arguably, more ways we can impede our own health with poor eating, drinking and lifestyle choices, weight loss and fitness goals are more attainable today than ever before in the past. But still, many people are attracted to fast, glamorous diets that do more harm than good.”
Tips for Safely Losing Weight
To help you on your weight loss journey, we’ve put together these weight loss tips that put safety first.
- Get your head in the right space. Paid programs are readily available that work on cognitive behavioral therapy to help you retrain your brain to critically examine what you eat. There may also be free help available. If you are already a member of a fitness center, check there for weight loss help that is already included in your membership. Additionally, expect to be in it for the long haul. Gradual and safe weight loss should be your goal.
- Make your app work for you. You can choose a calorie-counting app, a healthy eating app or a workout app to help keep you on track.
- Get a health coach. Tap into the recent onslaught of scientific advancements by hiring a health coach to help you understand nutrition and weight loss.
- Focus on nutrition. Make it a weekly goal to shift from empty calories, processed foods and high carbs to dense nutrients and filling whole foods. Preparing a plan before you go shopping will help. If you don’t buy it, you won’t be tempted to eat it. Small changes add up over time and can make a big impact on your overall health.
- Fruit and veggies come first. Start subbing out how much cereal, pasta and starches you are consuming by adding more fruits and vegetables to the bowl. Make veggies the largest portion on your dinner plate. Reach for fruits for a filling, tasty snack.1
- Be patient. If you’re making a major lifestyle change, such as switching from soda to carbonated flavored water, give yourself plenty of time to adjust. It may take a couple weeks, but eventually you won’t miss the refined sugars and will feel good when you drink the healthy beverage. Keep up the positive outlook and know you are doing something great for your body.
- Add activity. Increase your activity level steadily throughout the year. Start small with something attainable, like walking 3 times a week. Keep increasing your activity until you are doing something physical every day.
Before You Start
“Before you begin any weight loss program you should first consult with your physician,” said Dr. Khan. “Your doctor will have ideas that can help you. Also, it is good to have that physician oversight. Fad diets can be especially harmful to your health, so we are here to help prevent problems before they start.”
Dangerous Diets
Fad diets that promise rapid and radical results can be dangerous to your health. Crash diets often lower the metabolic rate which then doesn’t return to normal after weight increases.2
Here are some other ways fast diets can be dangerous and harmful to your health:
- Sacrifice a healthy balance of foods for fast results
- Loss of muscle instead of fat because of low protein intake
- Promote an unhealthy view of food, possibly even encouraging eating disorders
- Promote an unrealistic view of different body types
- Suppress immune system with poor nutrition
- Cause heart palpitations or irregular heartbeat
- Cause abdominal distress from a concentration of one kind of food
- Cause fatigue, weakness and dizziness
- Cause depression
- Trigger gallstones
- Reduce metabolism
Medco ER is available 24/7
Ready to get started on your weight loss and fitness goals? Try a telehealth visit with one of our board-certified physicians before you begin. To get a full medical workup before starting any new weight loss plan, stop by one of our two convenient locations.
If your diet has caused physical problems, or if you are experiencing unexpected weight loss or weight gain, come in right away for an assessment.
- Plano: 3960 Legacy Drive, Plano, TX 75023 (on the corner of Legacy and Coit Road)
Call us @ 469-392-4000
- Carrollton: 2745 E Belt Line Road, Carrollton, TX 75006
1 https://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/healthy_eating/fruits_vegetables.html
2 https://lindnercenterofhope.org/blog/why-dieting-can-be-harmful/
8 Tips for a Healthy Holiday
Looking forward to the elaborate holiday feasts but dreading your blood sugar swings, exhaustion and weight gain? At Medco ER & Urgent Care in Plano, TX, our board-certified physicians have put together 8 tips to help you make the best choices for a home run healthy, happy holiday season.
“The holidays are fraught with tension, extra work and poor eating choices,” said Medco ER & Urgent Care’s Medical Director, Dr. Nasir Khan. “But with a bit of planning, you can reduce your stress and feel better as you spend time with loved ones.”
Avoid feast or famine
It’s easy to skip a meal or two in advance to get ready for a big holiday feast, and then pile it on once you get to the table. This is a sure way to make your blood sugar swing wildly. Instead, eat a small snack before going to the party and watch your portions once you get there.
Make it count
While you don’t have to rigidly count calories at your family gatherings, it is advisable to be judicial in choosing where you are willing to spend the most calories. Choose your favorite foods and take smaller portions of them.1
Drink more not less
Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water. But go easy on the rest of the drinks. Remember that egg nog, punch, soda and alcoholic drinks can pack a whopping amount of calories where a fruited water spritzer has none. Also, alcohol makes you hungrier and reduces your ability to make healthy choices.1
Say goodbye to stress
Knowing that stress levels will be high during the holidays, you can make a plan now for ways to reduce it. Simplify your expectations to center on the most important people and traditions. Plan breaks for yourself.2 Choose shortcuts for the month, such as preparing freezer-ready meals in advance. Get plenty of rest. Eat well and exercise.
Slower is better
Remembering that it takes up to 20 minutes for your brain to get the signal that your stomach is full, take longer between courses and go slow on second helpings. A side benefit is less heartburn from not overeating.
Green is good
If you are a snacker, make sure there are plenty of fresh vegetables to grab. Avoid standing next to the snack table where it is tempting to grab more chips. Make sure you put plenty of veggies on your plate during the feast, too.3
Sneak in the substitutions
Don’t be afraid to look for healthier options for traditional foods. No one will mind that there is Monkfruit sweetener in the pies, chicken broth with only a bit of butter in the stuffing, hummus for raw veggies or yogurt dip for the fruit tray. Healthy choices like fanciful pear-pomegranate-pistachio salads with raspberry vinaigrettes can joyfully replace traditional butter-swamped or mushroom soup-covered hot vegetables.
Avoid the allergens
If you suffer from food allergies or are sensitive to things like gluten or monosodium glutamate (MSG), keep that in mind before diving into the dips, cookies and other scrumptious-looking treats. Russian tea cakes have ground up nuts and flavored chips and dips often have MSG.
Medco ER & Urgent Care is here when you need us
Since medical concerns don’t care if it’s the holidays or if it’s the middle of the night, Medco ER & Urgent Care is open all day and night, every day of the year, to provide you with the quality healthcare you need. If you or your loved ones aren’t feeling well, come in right away for an expert evaluation and treatment plan.
- Plano location:
3960 Legacy Drive, Plano TX 75023 (on the corner of Legacy and Coit Road)
Call us @ 469-392-4000
1 https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/12-tips-for-holiday-eating-201212242506
3 https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/library/features/holidays-healthy-eating.html
Is it Appendicitis?
A sharp, piercing side pain is obviously appendicitis—or inflammation of the appendix—but what if your pain is more of a general throbbing, vague abdominal pain, or upset stomach? One of the greatest emergency room challenges is figuring out what is causing your abdominal pain. At Medco ER & Urgent Care of Plano, TX, we are experienced in pinpointing the source of your abdominal pain and finding the treatment that’s right for you.
“Appendicitis doesn’t always manifest in a simple way,” said Medco ER & Urgent Care’s Medical Director, Dr. Nasir Khan. “But our board-certified emergency medicine physicians are able to use our in-house diagnostic tools to find the root of the pain.”
Causes of Appendicitis
While the cause of appendicitis may not always be clear, here are some common reasons:1
- Blockage of the opening of the appendix
- Enlarged wall tissue in the appendix caused by an infection in gastrointestinal system
- Disease such as inflammatory bowel disease
- Parasites
- Growths in the appendix
- Matter that clogs the appendix
- Abdominal trauma
Symptoms of Appendicitis
- Pain or discomfort in abdomen, often near the belly button
- Pain localized on lower right side
- Fever
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Abdominal bloating
- Abdominal tenderness
- Loss of appetite
- Malaise
- Stiff abdomen
Diagnosis of Appendicitis
To diagnose your abdominal pain to determine if it is appendicitis, your physician will do a physical exam including checking for abdominal stiffness and the tendency to guard or react when pressed. A rectal or pelvic exam may be performed to locate the source of the pain. A blood test may show an elevated white blood cell count which may mean you have an infection. A urine test will eliminate a urinary tract infection or kidney stone that would be causing pain. Finally, an imaging exam, such as a CT scan, X-ray or ultrasound may be used in diagnosis.2
Treatment for Appendicitis
“There is really only one treatment for appendicitis – an appendectomy,” said Dr. Khan. “If the appendix hasn’t ruptured, it is a straightforward procedure that can be done as a minimally invasive surgery to remove the appendix. Recovery should be rapid and antibiotics may be prescribed to ward off infection. However, if the appendix ruptured, the surgery and recovery will be more extensive.”
Seek Immediate Medical Treatment
Appendicitis is a serious medical condition. If left untreated, sepsis may occur, which is life-threatening. If you are experiencing pain or have any of these symptoms, come to Medco ER & Urgent Care right away:
- Abdominal pain or back pain
- Intense pain on your right side
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fever and chills
Get help fast at Medco ER & Urgent Care
With little-to-no wait time, you can get right into an exam room and be seen by a board-certified physician within minutes. At Medco ER & Urgent Care, we offer you top-quality care from physicians rather than PAs, CNPs or assistants. Our ER is equipped with the imaging and lab equipment needed to quickly diagnose and to treat your abdominal pain. Open 24/7 every day of the year, we’re here when you need us.
- Plano location:
3960 Legacy Drive, Plano TX 75023 (on the corner of Legacy and Coit Road)
Call us @ 469-392-4000
1 https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/appendicitis/symptoms-causes
2 https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/appendicitis/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20369549
10 Signs of Dehydration
As the heat index ramps up and we become more active, it’s easy to forget to drink enough fluids to stay well-hydrated. If you’ve ever wondered if you may be dehydrated, there are some quick and easy ways to know. Once you’ve determined that you’re suffering from dehydration, you can start taking some steps towards remedying it.
However, bringing your body back into a state of healthy hydration isn’t always as easy as grabbing a glass of water. That’s why, we’re always ready at Medco ER & Urgent Care to bring the needed hydration and electrolyte balance back into your system to help you start to feel better again.
“Dehydration can lead to the more serious heat-related illnesses and should be treated immediately,” said Medco ER & Urgent Care’s Regional Medical Director, Dr. Tariq Vora. “If you can’t get on top of your dehydration right away, we have the treatment readily available.”
Here are 10 warning signs of dehydration:
Fatigue
If you’re exhausted and you don’t know why, dehydration may be the culprit. Try drinking water while resting.
Headache
The first thing you should do when you have a headache is drink some water. If the problem is dehydration, you should experience some relief soon.
Muscle cramps
An imbalance in minerals can cause muscle cramps and pain. Try drinking electrolyte-balanced hydration packets or drinking water and eating a banana for a potassium boost.
Constipation
Since your body absorbs much of its liquid from the passage of food and water in the intestines, your stool may become dry and immobile if you aren’t drinking enough. Get some water into your system and even some healthy oils or prunes to help.
UTI
A urinary tract infection can be the result of dehydration. An excess of bacteria can build up and multiply in the tract if it isn’t flushed out regularly by trips to the bathroom. If you’re experiencing difficulty urinating, painful urination or blood in the urine, come to Medco ER & Urgent Care immediately for treatment.
Dark-colored urine
The color of your urine could tell a lot about you. If it is dark yellow or orange, you may be dehydrated. Vitamins and certain vegetables can also taint your urine color, so consider that when determining if you are dehydrated or not.
Dry skin and lips
If you’re experiencing chronic chapped lips or dry, cracked skin, you may not be getting enough to drink. In addition to drinking water, try some moisturizers or natural oils to feel better.
Brain fog
If your cognitive processes are slowing down and you’re struggling to think, your brain may be stressed from dehydration. Try to get 80 ounces of water each day and see if it helps to make you feel better.
Dizziness
An imbalance in the electrolytes and minerals can lead to dizziness. If a sports drink doesn’t help within 20 minutes, a trip to the ER might be a good idea.
Confusion
One of the most serious indicators of advanced dehydration, confusion should always be taken seriously. “If you or someone you love is struggling to communicate, confused or just seems out of it, it is important to seek medical attention immediately,” said Dr. Vora. “Whether it’s dehydration or something else, it’s a cause for prompt evaluation by a qualified emergency medical provider.”
Where can I get medical help for dehydration symptoms?
For any of your urgent medical needs, Medco ER & Urgent Care is open day and night to serve you. We have the rapid labs and the IV fluids ready to diagnose and to treat your dehydration. Come on into our Plano location which is open 24/7 for your convenience.
- Plano: 3960 Legacy Drive on the corner of Legacy and Coit Road.
Call us @ 469-392-4000.
What to do when you don’t know what’s wrong with your child
One of the hardest things about being a parent is knowing when your baby or child needs to see a doctor. Sometimes, the symptoms are so subtle, you can’t easily tell that anything is wrong. Sometimes, you just have to rely on your intuition—when you know that something’s not quite right with your baby or child.
“It’s often one of those ‘better safe than sorry’ scenarios when you bring your child in to be seen by one of our physicians, but you don’t really know what’s wrong,” said Medco ER & Urgent Care’s Regional Medical Director, Dr. Tariq Vora. “Often, it turns out that you were right—there was a medical condition that needed to be addressed.”
At Medco ER & Urgent Care, our board-certified physicians have years of experience in diagnosing both common and uncommon conditions in our youngest patients. With a range of diagnostic tools available in-house, we’re ready to go to work finding out just what is going on with the health of your little one.
Here are 4 steps we take in diagnostics:
1. Medical History
A careful medical history—including the child’s family health history—will be compiled upon your arrival. You will be asked about allergies, a history of chronic conditions, medications and past illnesses. It may be helpful to have a list of information and medications prepared in advance.
2. Physical Information
Your physician will careful examine your son or daughter and will note any information you relay about duration, behavior, fever, pain, sleep disruption and more. You will likely be asked several questions as the exam progresses. “Our physicians are good with kids,” said Dr. Vora. “We establish a rapport with your child and work together to get the needed information about how he or she is feeling.”
3. Rapid Results Labs
If appropriate, your physician may need to run some lab tests to aid in diagnosis. The doctor may require a strep, flu, virus, blood or urine test. Our in-house access to these labs ensures that the results will come in as quickly as possible.
4. Imaging Exams
Your physician may require an advanced diagnostic such as an x-ray, ultrasound, CT scan, or EKG. These individualized diagnostic tools are also available in-house so you can have easy access to a range of quality services in one convenient location.
Specialized Treatments
Now that the health concern has been pinpointed by your physician, a personalized treatment plan can be designed especially with your son or daughter in mind.
We offer specialized treatments for everything from:
- Asthma
- Orthopedics
- Breathing difficulty
- Allergies
- Lacerations or cuts
- Fracture
- Concussion
- Headaches
- Sprain and strain
- Strep
- Flu and virus
- Unexplained fever
- Infections
- Bronchitis
- Pneumonia
- Blood sugar
- Rash or skin condition
- Digestive issues
- Seizures
- Bites
- Burns
- Dehydration
Where can I find medical help for my infant or child?
For fast medical help, Medco ER & Urgent Care is on standby, day or night. Our Plano location is easy to access and is open 24/7. Our physicians, experienced in pediatric emergency medicine, are ready to help when you need us.
Our kid-friendly exam rooms, child-sized equipment, no wait access and concierge service will help to ensure a smooth visit so your child feels comfortable and safe while receiving top quality healthcare.
- Plano: 3960 Legacy Drive on the corner of Legacy and Coit Road.
Call us @ 469-392-4000.
3 Things Parents Need to Look for in Top Pediatric Care
The health and wellness of your children is the #1 concern for parents. When they get sick or injured, it’s only natural that you want to take them to the best quality doctors available. At Medco ER & Urgent Care, we are focused on providing the best pediatric healthcare in North Texas.
Babies and children require specialized care, and that’s exactly what we aim to provide. From the time you and your little ones enter our facility until the time you leave, rest assured that you are receiving top-quality pediatric healthcare services from a caring and engaged team of professionals.
We have focused on these top 3 pediatric care services that every parent deserves to have for their children:
1. Board-Certified Physicians
Seeing an advanced provider such as a Physician Assistant or a Nurse Practitioner may be ok at times, but when your child is sick or injured, it’s comforting to know that your doctor is a board-certified physician with years of experience in Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine. “Our physicians are fully capable of treating children with various injuries and ailments,” said Medco ER & Urgent Care’s Regional Medical Director, Dr. Tariq Vora. “And they truly enjoy working with children.”
2. Kid-Friendly Environment
We realize that kids don’t like to wait. Truth be told, adults are not a big fan of waiting either. That is why we have perfected the little-to-no-wait & fast access to service. Within minutes of checking in, your child will be taken to a fun, space themed & kid-friendly exam room that has colorfully decorated walls and interesting things to do. Our concierge service offers a lot of welcoming opportunities and, before the kids realize it, the visit seems to be conveniently over! Now that‘s what we call quality service.
3. The right equipment and labs
Kids are not just small adults, they are unique. That’s why we make sure our face masks are the proper size and are decorated with fun designs suitable for children. We also have a stock of child-friendly equipment that makes it easy to smoothly deliver the necessary diagnostic tests and treatments.
Waiting for a medical diagnosis can be sometimes scary for both you and your children. That is why we offer rapid access to labs such as strep, flu, blood tests and even x-rays right on site. The test results are quickly available for a fast and efficient service. “We have prioritized access to rapid delivery of services to ensure that we can offer some of the best care possible to the children and their parents,” said Dr. Vora.
Where can I find pediatric emergency care?
If your child is sick or injured, don’t worry! Medco ER & Urgent Care is conveniently located close to your home. Injuries and sicknesses can occur anytime, and that’s why we are open—24/7— even on weekends and holidays. We are here and ready to serve you when you need us, with the excellent pediatric care that can help your little one feel all better again.
- 3960 Legacy Drive (corner of Legacy and Coit Road), Plano, TX
Feel free to call us anytime @ 469-392-4000.
The 7 Biggest Advantages of a Freestanding ER Over a Hospital ER
Have you ever wondered how a freestanding emergency room differs from an attached hospital ER? The answers may surprise you.
In recent years, freestanding ERs have skyrocketed in popularity in the greater Dallas Fort Worth region as people realize the landslide of advantages freestanding ERs offer over hospital ERs. Since freestanding ERs can address almost all common emergency conditions that you or your family may encounter, the benefits are worth noting.
Here are the top 7 advantages of a freestanding ER:
1. No wait time
Emergencies don’t wait and neither should you. Waiting in a crowded, possibly germ-filled waiting room is a chore that the freestanding ERs have eliminated. Within minutes upon your arrival, you can be shown to a private room. A physician will be immediately alerted to your needs. Our locations are squeaky clean and we always keep patients at safe distances from one another.
2. More face-to-face time with the doctor
Less time waiting and more time spent talking with the doctor is one of the most important benefits of going to a freestanding ER. “Our patients are our top priority. We make sure we can spend all the time you need to make sure you get some of the highest quality care available,” said Medco ER & Urgent Care’s Regional Medical Director, Dr. Tariq Vora.
3. Board-certified physicians standing by
Unlike hospital ERs, you won’t be seen by a physician assistant (PA), medical assistant (MA) or a certified nurse practitioner (CNP). At Medco ER & Urgent Care, you have immediate access to a board-certified physician with years of experience in treating emergency conditions.
4. On-site imaging equipment and labs
Our fast-result labs are available on-site to aid in proper diagnostic and treatment. Getting the answers right away for your medical questions can help speed you on the way to recovery. Cardiac labs are available to diagnose urgent heart conditions. Imaging equipment such as X-rays, EKG and ultrasounds are in-house for fast and accurate diagnosis of your medical condition.
5. Efficient billing
We accept most insurance plans at Medco ER & Urgent Care. Our billing department understands the ins and outs of a myriad of insurance benefits and billing requirements. We will work with you to provide all the help you need to understand your bill and the next steps to take. We do not bill patients for the difference between in-network and out-of-network reimbursement, so there are no unwelcome surprises in your bill.
6. Concierge service
Our hospitality service offers complimentary beverages and snacks. The person who drove you or accompanied you will appreciate our clean waiting room stocked with refreshments. If appropriate, you may also enjoy snacks and a sports drink to unwind and rehydrate during your visit.
7. Courtesy call directly from the doctor after your ER visit
You will be pleased to receive a follow-up phone call from your doctor after you visit our emergency room. We want to track your progress and make sure you are on your way to feeling better.
Which freestanding ER should I go to?
When it comes to receiving fast, friendly and excellent medical care, it’s important to choose the freestanding ER with a stellar reputation. At Medco ER & Urgent Care, we’re proud of our top star ratings that showcase our quality healthcare services.
When you are dealing with an emergency or urgent condition, you need the freestanding ER that’s readily available. “We’re open 24/7 every day of the year to make sure you have the quality care you need at just the right time,” said Dr. Vora.
Where can I find a Medco ER & Urgent Care?
For fast medical help, Medco ER & Urgent Care is available in two convenient locations close to home and work. Visit us any time at:
- Plano: 3960 Legacy Drive on the corner of Legacy and Coit Road. Call us @ 469-392-4000.
- Frisco: 5600 Eldorado Parkway across from McDonald’s and Costco. Call us @ 469-392-4100.